Early Literacy Activities

Parents, do you have a a toddler or preschooler at home who's learning their ABC's? Here's a great early literacy activity for them from the Reading is Fundemantal website.

Letter Hunt
Ages: Toddlers, preschoolers
Materials: Construction paper, pencil, scissors, tape

Instructions:
1. Using one sheet of construction paper per letter, draw 10 letters.
2. Cut out the letters.
3. Go around your house and tape each cut-out to something that begins with the letter. For example, put an "R" on your refrigerator, a "D" on your door, or a "T" on your table. Make sure to position the letters at eye-level for your children.
4. Explain to your child what you've done. Ask if she would like to go on a letter hunt with you, and then walk with her around the house as she looks for the letters.
5. As she finds each cut-out, talk about other words that also begin with that letter.
6. After a few days, remove the letters and create a set of new ones. Repeat the activity.

For more early literacy activities from Reading is Fundemental click here.

Book Buzz: Out To Lunch

Out to Lunch, Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo by Nancy Krulik
This is Katie’s second adventure, where she changes into someone or something else, last time it was the class hamster. Now, Katie's two friends are arguing over who can take Speedy, the class hamster home for the weekend and they put her right in the middle and she doesn’t like it. She escapes to the bathroom and she can feel it is starting to happen again – who will she turn into this time? Fans of Clementine and Ivy and Bean will look forward to reading about Katie Kazoo. (J fiction)

The End of Summer

Wednesday was the last day of our "Be Creative" summer reading program. We celebrated with the musical and artistic talents of children’s entertainer and illustrator, Steve Pullara. All ages were invited.

It was such a nice night for a concert. The weather was perfect for a picnic dinner before the fun began...

And then parents and children danced and sang as the sun sank down in the sky.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's summer reading program! We had a blast painting, podcasting, making music, and being all kinds of creative. We'll miss the sound of the prize wheel spinning but we're looking forward to our fall programs.

Hope to see you there!

Book Buzz: My Life in Pink & Green

My Life in Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald
I really enjoyed Greenwald's book about 12 year old Lucy Desberg. Lucy, her Mom and her grandmother live together and work together at the family pharmacy. When Lucy overhears conversations that the pharmacy is running into financial trouble, she starts doing everything she can to help save the pharmacy. After joining the Earth Club with her friend, she tries to get the pharmacy to go green. See what happens... Kristin (J Fiction)

September Book Buzz

Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke
Little Princess Isabella has taken off her crown with no intentions of ever putting it on again! Isabella does NOT want to have her hair curled by the royal servants. She does NOT want to learn how to smile for hours on end. And she certainly does NOT want the royal footmen to blow her nose for her! Isabella intends to wear pants, climb trees, get dirty and pick her own nose, thank you very much! And her father, the king, cannot stop her. For a good laugh and some good, dirty fun check out Cornelia Funke’s Princess Pigsty. Michelle (Picture book ages 4-8)


Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express by Megan McDonald
This was just as fun as McDonald's other books, this one starring Stink, instead of his sister Judy. Join him and his two friends as they find, capture and help find good homes for 101 guinea pigs. They help Mrs. Birdwhistle of Fur & Fangs save these creatures and create a traveling guinea pig home to help get them adopted. Kristin (J fiction)

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Imagine a mysterious stranger arrives at your door one evening and announces that you are in fact a Romanian vampire princess —and worse, you have been pledged to each other from birth? If you are anything like Jessica Packwood, you would probably think the guy was crazy, tell him “thanks but no thanks,” and try to go about your senior year. Can life ever be normal for Jessica again as she tries to get a date for prom, take down a cheerleader, and, oh yeah, prevent a
vampire war that's been brewing for years from happening? Fans of vampire fiction won’t want to miss Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. Alia (YA Fiction)

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love by Lauren Tarshis
Emma-Jean and her friends (as well as the whole seventh grade) are buzzing about the upcoming seventh grade dance. When Colleen receives a note from a secret admirer, Emma-Jean is on the case. Can she figure out who sent it? Will she be able to deal with her own new feelings for popular boy Will Keeler? Though Emma-Jean knows a lot about birds and trees, she struggles to understand her fellow students. Her latest adventure is as enjoyable as the first- Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree. Meghan (J Fiction)

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lia and Cassie had been best friends since elementary school. But, Lia wasn’t there the night Cassie died alone in a motel room. Now she is left dealing with the ghost of her friend, the anxiety of her parents, and her own insecurities. This book gives a dark but realistic look into the world of anorexia and the risks some teens will go through to make themselves feel “good”. Jaclyn (8th Grade & Up)

A New Service for Parents

Parents, do you ever need a little help keeping track of what's going on at the library? If so, you may want to try out our new texting program. You can recive CHPL text messages twice a week about homework help, student resources, and educational children's programing at the library. How do you sign up?

TEXT: CHPLkids

TO: 51684

Standard text messaging rates apply. To end service text STOP to 51684. For information text HELP.

We Want To Hear From You...

Has anyone seen the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? We've heard from some kids who loved it and from some that thought it was dull. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave us a comment on the blog and let us know if you liked the movie or not!